Bibb County Traffic Court Records Search
Traffic court records in Bibb County are managed by the Circuit Clerk's office in Centreville. The county is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit along with Dallas, Hale, Perry, and Wilcox counties. District court processes most traffic violations issued by state troopers and sheriff's deputies. This includes tickets written on Highway 5, Highway 219, and other county roads. The clerk's office maintains all case files and can help you look up pending matters or get copies of closed case records. Bibb County is smaller than many Alabama counties, so the courthouse staff tends to be pretty accessible. Just remember they close for lunch from noon to 1 PM.
Bibb County Quick Facts
Bibb County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk's office handles all court records in Bibb County including traffic cases. Kayla Cooner serves as Circuit Clerk. The office is located in the courthouse on Court Square East in downtown Centreville. They take a lunch break, so plan your visit for morning or afternoon hours.
| Circuit Clerk | Kayla Cooner |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 Court Square East Centreville, AL 35042 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 185 Centreville, AL 35042 |
| Phone | (205) 926-3103 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | bibb.alacourt.gov |
Hon. Marvin W. Wiggins presides over the 4th Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges take felony cases. They also hear appeals. Traffic cases stay in district court unless the charges are serious - like a felony DUI or vehicular homicide. For basic speeding or running a stop sign, district court is where your case will be heard from start to finish.
How to Search Traffic Records
Online Search
Look up Bibb County traffic records at pa.alacourt.com. Type in a name or case number. Name searches cost $9.99. Pick Bibb County to see local results.
In-Person Requests
Visit the courthouse in Centreville during business hours. The office is closed from noon to 1 PM for lunch. Bring whatever identifying information you have - the defendant's name, date of birth, case number, or citation number. Staff can look up case details and provide copies.
Mail Requests
Written requests should include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and what documents you need. Include payment for copy fees. Mail to:
Circuit Clerk, Bibb County Courthouse
P.O. Box 185
Centreville, AL 35042
Fees and Costs
Traffic Court Fines
Traffic fines in Bibb County depend on the offense. Standard speeding tickets run between $190 and $300 including court costs. Violations like running a stop sign or improper passing are similar. Reckless driving fines are higher, often exceeding $500. DUI first offense starts around $600 plus costs for classes and license reinstatement.
Record Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Case copies (1-20 pages) | $5.00 |
| Additional pages (over 20) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Alacourt name search | $9.99 |
Payment Options
Pay fines online at ALAPay.com using your citation number. Phone payments accepted at 1-877-252-7294. At the courthouse, pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check. Credit card payments online come with a convenience fee.
Court Procedures and What to Expect
When you get a traffic ticket in Bibb County, your citation shows the court date, time, and location. Most traffic matters go to district court in Centreville. Show up on time or early. If you miss your court date, the judge can issue a warrant for your arrest and add a failure to appear charge.
At your first appearance, the judge reads the charge and asks how you plead. Your options are guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Guilty and no contest both result in a conviction - the only difference is no contest cannot be used against you in a civil lawsuit. If you plead not guilty, you get a trial date.
For trial, you can bring witnesses and evidence. The officer who wrote your ticket will likely testify. You can cross-examine the officer and present your side. The burden is on the state to prove you committed the violation. If you win, the case is dismissed. If you lose, the judge sets your punishment.
Dress nicely for court - business casual at minimum. No weapons allowed in the courthouse. Arrive early to find parking and go through security. When speaking to the judge, stand and address them as "Your Honor." Be respectful even if you disagree with the outcome.
Driver License Points and Consequences
Alabama tracks traffic violations using a point system. Points accumulate on your driving record when you are convicted of moving violations. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency handles driver license records and suspensions.
Common violations and their points: speeding (2 points), failure to yield (2 points), improper passing (2 points), reckless driving (6 points), and DUI (6 points). If you rack up 12 or more points in 2 years, your license gets suspended. First suspension is 60 days. Second suspension in 2 years is 90 days. Third is a full year.
Points drop off your record 2 years after the violation date. But the conviction itself stays on your record longer. Insurance companies look at your record and adjust rates based on violations. A single speeding ticket might raise your rates 10-20%. A DUI can double or triple them.
To reinstate a suspended license, you pay a reinstatement fee and may need to file SR-22 insurance proof. For DUI suspensions, you also have to complete an alcohol evaluation and any required treatment. The process can take weeks, so plan ahead if you have a suspension coming.
Traffic School and Defensive Driving
Taking a defensive driving course can help with traffic issues in Bibb County. Alabama lets you remove up to 2 points from your record by completing an approved course. You can only do this once every 5 years.
Judges sometimes offer traffic school as an alternative to fines or points. This is more common for first-time offenders and minor violations. If the judge does not mention it, you can ask. The worst they can say is no. Some prosecutors will agree to dismiss charges if you complete the course before trial.
Courses are available online through ALEA-approved providers. They typically cost $25 to $50 and take several hours. You learn about safe driving techniques, Alabama traffic laws, and the consequences of violations. At the end, you get a certificate to submit to ALEA for point reduction.
In-person defensive driving classes are also available at some community colleges and driving schools. These may cost more but some people prefer the classroom setting. Either way, keep your completion certificate - you need it to prove you finished the course.
Legal Framework
Traffic violations in Bibb County fall under Alabama state law. District courts have exclusive jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic cases under Code of Alabama Section 12-12-51. Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations per Sections 12-14-1 through 12-14-70.
Traffic offenses are misdemeanors under Section 32-5A-8 unless designated as felonies. Speeding laws appear in Sections 32-5A-170 through 32-5A-178. The default limits are 30 mph in urban areas, 45 mph on unpaved roads, 55 mph on highways, and 70 mph on interstates. Going 25 mph or more over the limit is particularly serious. Reckless driving is Section 32-5A-190 and means driving with willful disregard for safety. DUI charges fall under Section 32-5A-191 with enhanced penalties for high BAC or repeat offenses.
Public records access is guaranteed by Section 36-12-40. Citizens can inspect and copy court records with some exceptions for sealed cases. Juvenile traffic records have additional privacy protections.
If you are unhappy with the district court outcome, you can appeal to circuit court within 14 days. The appeal results in a completely new trial, not just a review. You need to post an appeal bond, usually equal to your fine plus costs. An attorney can help with the appeals process.
Additional Resources
4th Judicial Circuit
Bibb County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit along with Dallas, Hale, Perry, and Wilcox counties. Circuit judges rotate between these counties. Circuit court handles felony cases and appeals from lower courts.
Legal Assistance
Legal Services Alabama gives free legal help to folks who qualify. Call 1-866-456-4995 to start. They screen your income and case type. If you need a lawyer for something serious like DUI, the Alabama State Bar has a referral line. They can point you to attorneys who handle traffic cases in your area. Having a lawyer matters more for big charges than for basic speeding tickets.
Cities in Bibb County
Bibb County includes Centreville, Brent, West Blocton, and Woodstock. Citations from city police go through municipal court. Tickets from state troopers or sheriff's deputies are handled in county district court.